A sensing device is provided in the present invention. The sensing device includes a first conductive element, a second conductive element, a processing unit, a cover and a base. The processing electrically connects to the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The cover has an opening. The base forms a space with the cover, and the first conductive element and the second conductive element are set on the base.
|
6. A sensing device for identifying a medium, the sensing device comprising:
a base;
a first conductive element having a first connection portion and a first pin portion penetrating through the base, and the first connection portion set on the base by the first pin portion;
a second conductive element comprising a second connection portion and a second pin portion penetrating through the base, the second connection portion set on the base by the second pin portion, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion having a potential difference while the medium electrically connects the first connection portion and the second connection portion; and
a processing unit comparing the potential difference with a first threshold value and a second threshold value and determining the medium is a first medium while the potential difference is equal to or less than the first threshold value, is a second medium while the potential difference is greater than the first threshold value and is equal to or less than the second threshold value, or is a third medium while the potential difference is greater than the second threshold value.
1. A sensing device for identifying a medium, the sensing device comprising:
a cover having an opening;
a base forming a space with the cover;
a first conductive element having a first connection portion and a first pin portion penetrating through the base, and the first conductive element set on the base by the first pin portion;
a second conductive element comprising a second connection portion and a second pin portion penetrating through the base, the second connection portion set on the base by the second pin portion, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion having a potential difference while the medium electrically connects the first connection portion and the second connection portion; and
a processing unit comparing the potential difference with a first threshold value and a second threshold value and determining the medium is a first medium while the potential difference is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the medium is a second medium while the potential difference is greater than the first threshold value and is equal to or less than the second threshold value, or the medium is a third medium while the potential difference is greater than the second threshold value.
11. An electronic system comprising:
a power module providing an input voltage; and
a sensing device having a base, a first conductive element, a second conductive element and a processing unit, the first conductive element having a first connection portion and a first pin portion penetrating through the base, the second conductive element having a second connection portion and a second pin portion penetrating through the base, the first connection portion and the second connection portion set on the base respectively by the first pin portion and the second pin portion, the first connection portion and the second connection portion having a potential difference while a medium electrically connects the first connection portion and the second connection portion; and
wherein the processing unit outputs a signal in accordance with a bias voltage generated according to the input voltage and the potential difference, compares the signal with a first threshold value and a second threshold value and determines the medium is a first medium while the signal is equal to or less than the first threshold value, is a second medium while the signal is greater than the first threshold value and is equal to or less than the second threshold value, or is a third medium while the signal is greater than the second threshold value.
2. The sensing device according to
3. The sensing device according to
4. The sensing device according to
5. An electronic system comprising the sensing device according to
7. The sensing device according to
8. The sensing device according to
9. The sensing device according to
10. An electronic system comprising the sensing device according to
12. The electronic system according to
13. The electronic system according to
14. The electronic system according to
|
This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial No. 105130828, filed Sep. 23, 2016, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a sensing technology, and more particularly to a sensing device, an electronic system and a sensing method.
With the rapid development of sensing technology, the sensing device is widely used in human's daily life and plays a more and more important role. For instance, the sensing device is widely used in various electronic systems as an environment-sensing interface. In general, to optimize the electronic system so that the electronic system can be effectively operated in various environments, the electronic system itself has various operating modes to deal with the environments. However, at present, most of the electronic systems still rely on manpower to switch different operating modes. For instance, since a general electronic system is usually not provided with environment-sensing ability, user needs to manually adjust the electronic system to a corresponding operating mode when the user operates the electronic system under a particular environment. Although a sensing device, which is able to assist the electronic system to switch operating modes by sensing variation of pressure, is commercially available on the market, such a sensing device that senses physical variation of environment might cause significant errors due to other factors such as temperature, humidity and/or latitude, thereby leading to misjudgment of the electronic system.
Therefore, it is desired to provide a novel sensing technology able to improve sensitivity and accuracy of the sensing device, thereby improving stability of the electronic system.
One aspect of the present invention relates to a sensing device. The sensing device includes a first conductive element, a second conductive element, a processing unit, a cover and a base. The processing unit electrically connects to the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The cover has an opening. The base forms a space with the cover, and the first conductive element and the second conductive element are set on the base.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a sensing device. The sensing device includes a processing unit, a first conductive element, a second conductive element and a base. The first conductive element includes a first pin portion, and the second conductive element includes a second pin portion. The first conductive element and the second conductive element respectively penetrate through the base by the first pin portion and the second pin portion to electrically connect to the processing unit.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a sensing device. The sensing device includes a base, a first conductive element, a second conductive element and a processing unit. The first conductive element is set on the base, and the second conductive element is set on the base. The processing unit outputs a signal in accordance with a potential difference between the first conductive element and the second conductive element.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to an electronic system. The electronic system includes the sensing device in accordance with any one of the above aspects and a controller.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a sensing method applied to a sensing device. The sensing device includes a first conductive element, a second conductive element and a processing unit. The processing unit electrically connects to the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The sensing method includes the following steps. Provide an input voltage to the processing unit. While a potential difference is generated between the first conductive element and the second conductive element, the processing unit generates a bias voltage in accordance with the potential difference and the input voltage, and outputs a signal n accordance with the bias voltage.
A number of embodiments are exemplified below with accompanying drawings to elaborate the invention in detail for a better understanding of the present invention. However, the provided embodiments are not intended to limit the scope encompassed by the present invention, and the description of how to operate the structure is not intended to limit the sequence under which the structure is executed. Any structures that are reassembled by the elements, resulting in devices with equivalent effect, are encompassed by the present invention. Besides, according to the standards and common practices of industry, the drawings are used for illustrative purpose, and the scales used in the drawings are not based on the scales of actual products. In practice, the size of each feature may be optionally increased or decreased for illustration. In the following description, identical reference numerals are used to indicate identical elements for understanding.
In the present invention, when an element is referred to “connect” or “couple”, it may mean that the element “electrically connects” or “electrically couples”. In addition, it may be used to indicate that two or more elements operate mutually or interact with each other. Furthermore, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used in the present invention for indicating different elements, such terms are merely used to distinguish elements or operations that are described in the same technical language.
Furthermore, the sensing device 100 may further include a connection member 140. The connection member 140 may be disposed between the processing unit 130 and the first conductive element 110, and between the processing unit 130 and the second conductive element 120. Specifically, the connection member 140 may include a first connection piece 141 disposed between the processing unit 130 and the first conductive element 110 and a second connection piece 142 disposed between the processing unit 130 and the second conductive element 120.
Moreover, the processing unit 130 may electrically connect to the first conductive element 110 and the second conductive element 120 respectively through the connection member 140. The first conductive element 110 may include a first connection portion 110a and a first pin portion 110b. The second conductive element 120 may include a second connection portion 120a and a second pin portion 120b. Specifically, the first conductive element 110 may penetrate through a base 170 by the first pin portion 110b to electrically connect to the processing unit 130. The second conductive element 120 may penetrate through the base 170 by the second pin portion 120b to electrically connect to the processing unit 130. In one embodiment, while an electrically conductible medium is present between the first connection portion 110a of the first conductive element 110 and the second connection portion 120a of the second conductive element 120 so that the first conductive element 110 electrically connects to the second conductive element 120, an impedance is present between the first conductive element 110 and the second conductive element 120 due to the medium, resulting in a potential difference therebetween. The electrically conductible medium includes but is not limited to liquid, solid or gas, or a mixture or a compound including at least two of liquid, solid and gas.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the cover 154 includes an opening 154. When a medium enters the space 151 through the opening 150 and is in contact with the first connection portion 110a and the second connection portion 120a at the same time, the first connection portion 110a and the second connection portion 120a are electrically connected, resulting in a potential difference generated therebetween. Furthermore, the medium may be discharged out of the space 151 via the opening 154, so that an open circuit occurs between the first connection portion 110a and the second connection portion 120a.
In another embodiment, the sensing device 100 may further include pads 152 respectively disposed around the first pin portion 110b and the second pin portion 120b. The first conductive element 110 and the second conductive element 120 may be more compactly disposed on the base 170 through the respective pads 152. Furthermore, the pads 152 may be pads with elasticity or flexibility. The first conductive element 110 and the second conductive element 120 may be in the form of a nut, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Specifically, as shown in
Referring to
In one embodiment, if a medium is in contact with the first connection portion 110a of the first conductive element 110 and the second connection portion 120a of the second conductive element 120 so that a potential difference VC1 is generated between the first conductive element 110 and the second conductive element 120, the first node CH1 may generate a bias voltage VCH1, and the second node CH2 may generate a signal Sout (i.e., the voltage value VCH2 of the second node CH2).
In one embodiment, while the bias voltage VCH1 is equal to or less than a threshold value, the processing unit 130 outputs the signal Sout in a first level. While the bias voltage VCH1 is greater than the threshold value, the processing unit 130 outputs the signal Sout in a second level.
Referring to
Table 1 is a look-up table listing relationship between the bias voltage VCH1 of the first node CH1 and the signal Sout of the second node CH2 in the sensing device 200A. From Table 1, in a condition that the input voltage Vin is 3.3V, the sensing device 200A may output the signal Sout in a lower level while the bias voltage VCH1 is equal to or less than 2.74V; the sensing device 200A may output the signal Sout in a higher level while the bias voltage VCH1 is greater than 2.74V.
TABLE 1
Bias voltage VCH1
Signal Sout
1.0 V
33
mV
2.0 V
33
mV
2.5 V
33
mV
2.7 V
33
mV
2.71 V
33
mV
2.72 V
33
mV
2.73 V
43
mV
2.74 V
72
mV
2.75 V
1.62
V
2.76 V
3.3
V
3.0 V
3.3
V
3.3 V
3.3
V
Specifically, the first end of the impedance element Z1′ electrically connects to the input voltage Vin. The first conductive element 110 electrically connects to the first end of the impedance element Z2′, and the second conductive element 120 electrically connects to the ground terminal. The second end of the impedance element Z1′, the second end of the impedance element Z2′ and the A/D converter 132 electrically connect to the first node CH1. Furthermore, an inductor C may further be electrically connected between the first end of the impedance element Z2′ and the ground terminal.
In one embodiment, the sensing device 200B employs an A/D converter 132 having n-bit resolution. Therefore, the A/D converter 132 may convert the analog bias voltage VCH1 into the digitized signal Sout having 2n different discrete values. When a status between the first connection portion 110a and the second connection portion 120a is short-circuited, and the analog signal of the bias voltage VCH1 is 0V, the A/D converter 132 outputs the digitized signal Sout having discrete value equal to 0. When a status between the first conductive element 110 and the second conductive element 120 is open-circuited, the A/D converter 132 outputs the digitized signal Sout having discrete value equal to 2n. When a status between the first conductive element 110 and the second conductive element 120 is open-circuited, the analog signal of the bias voltage VCH1 is 3.3V, and/or the A/D converter 132 may be an A/D converter having 2-bit or 14-bit resolution, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
In one embodiment, the threshold value group includes a plurality of threshold values. While the digitized signal Sout is equal to or less than a first threshold value, the processing unit 130 may determine that the medium is a first medium. While the digitized signal Sout is greater than the first threshold value and is equal to or less than a second threshold value, the processing unit 130 may determine that the medium is a second medium. While the digitized signal Sout is greater than the second threshold value, the processing unit 130 may determine that the medium is a third medium. In other words, the processing unit 130 may determine the category and property of the medium in accordance with the bias voltage VCH1 and the output signal of A/D converter 132. The above embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. The sensing device 200B is not limited for determining whether the medium is any one of the first medium, the second medium and the third medium, and the category and number to be determined of the medium may be flexibly adjusted according to actual operating condition.
In still another embodiment, the processing unit 130 may perform the above determining operation by the comparator 134. In other words, while the digitized signal Sout is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the processing unit 130 may determine by the comparator 134 that the medium is the first medium. While the digitized signal Sout is greater than the first threshold value and is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the processing unit 130 may determine by the comparator 134 that the medium is the second medium. While the digitized signal Sout is greater than the second threshold value, the processing unit 130 may determine by the comparator 134 that the medium is the third medium.
Referring to
TABLE 2
Type of medium
25° C.
0° C.
Open circuit
16383
16383
Short circuit
0
0
First medium
987-1104
1056-1210
Second medium
1199-1308
1412-1528
Third medium
1311-1407
1343-1412
Fourth medium
1647-1759
2108-2249
Fifth medium
1730-1808
1827-1923
Sixth medium
3618-3824
3974-4183
Seventh medium
4987-5240
5142-5238
Step S301: Provide an input voltage Vin to the processing unit 130.
Step S302: When the first conductive element 110 and the second conductive element 120 are electrically connected, an impedance Zin and/or a potential difference VC1 may be generated between the first connection portion 110a and the second connection portion 120a. The first conductive element 110 and the second conductive element 120 may be electrically connected via the medium.
Step S303: The processing unit 130 divides the input voltage Vin in accordance with the potential difference VC1 to generate the bias voltage VCH1, and outputs the signal Sout in accordance with the bias voltage VCH1.
Referring to
Step S313: The processing unit 130 divides the input voltage Vin according to the potential difference VC1 to generate the bias voltage VCH1.
Step S314: The processing unit 130 determines whether the bias voltage VCH1 is equal to or less than the threshold value.
Step S315: Following the previous step S314, if the result is yes, that is, if the bias voltage VCH1 is equal to or less than the threshold value, the processing unit 130 outputs the signal Sout in a first level.
Step S316: Following the previous step S314, if the result is no, that is, if the bias voltage VCH1 is greater than the threshold value, the processing unit 130 outputs the signal Sout in a second level.
Therefore, in the sensing method 300B, the signal Sout in a corresponding level may be output by comparing the bias voltage VCH1 with the predetermined threshold value.
In one embodiment, if an impedance Zin is generated between the first connection portion 110a and the second connection portion 120a via the medium, and the bias voltage VCH1 is equal to or less than the threshold value, the processing unit 130 outputs the signal Sout in a low level. If an open circuit occurs between the first connection portion 110a and the second connection portion 120a, and/or the bias voltage VCH1 is greater than the threshold value, the processing unit 130 outputs the signal Sout in a high level.
Referring to
Step S324: A digitized signal is output by the processing unit 130 according to the bias voltage VCH1.
In one embodiment, if an impedance Zin is generated between the first connection portion 110a and the second connection portion 120a via the medium, and the digitized signal is equal to or less than the threshold value, the processing unit 130 may output the “0” digitized signal Sout based on base-n number system. If an open circuit occurs between the first connection portion 110a and the second connection portion 120a, and the digitized signal is greater than the threshold value, the processing unit 130 outputs the “1” digitized signal Sout based on base-n number system. The base-n number system may be binary numeral system. In other words, the sensing method 300C may convert the bias voltage VCH1 into the digitized signal, and compare the digitized signal with the threshold value, thereby outputting a corresponding digitized signal Sout.
Referring to
Step S335: Determine whether the digitized signal is equal to or less than the first threshold value.
Step S336: Following the previous step S335, if the result is no, that is, if the digitized signal is greater than the first threshold value, further determine whether the digitized signal is greater than the first threshold value, and is equal to or less than the second threshold value.
Step S337: Following the previous step S335, if the result is yes, that is, if the digitized signal is equal to or less than the first threshold value, it is determined that the medium is the first medium.
Step S338: Following the previous step S336, if the result is yes, that is, if the digitized signal is greater than the first threshold value, and is equal to or less than the second threshold value, it is determined that the medium is the second medium.
Step S339: Following the previous step S336, if the result is no, that is, if the digitized signal is greater than the second threshold value, it is determined that the medium is the third medium.
In one embodiment, the sensing method 300D may convert the bias voltage VCH1 into the digitized signal, and compare the digitized signal with the threshold value group, thereby determining the medium. The threshold value group at least includes a first threshold value and a second threshold value, and the first threshold value and the second value may respectively be a predetermined value, an adjustable value under the current environment detected by the system and/or set by the user, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
As shown in
Referring to
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment(s), it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures.
Chang, Yen-Min, Lin, Yen-Chen, Lu, Cheng-En
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
5188710, | Jan 18 1991 | Emerson Electric Co. | Continuous water distillation system |
5536375, | Sep 10 1993 | Emerson Electric Co. | Water purifier having a demister |
20100123581, | |||
20110169510, | |||
20140333291, | |||
20160103086, | |||
20160170546, | |||
20160187390, | |||
20160239147, | |||
20160380606, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Sep 06 2017 | CHANG, YEN-MIN | ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO , LTD | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 043551 | /0468 | |
Sep 06 2017 | LU, CHENG-EN | ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO , LTD | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 043551 | /0468 | |
Sep 06 2017 | LIN, YEN-CHEN | ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO , LTD | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 043551 | /0468 | |
Sep 12 2017 | Ability Enterprise Co., Ltd. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Sep 12 2017 | BIG: Entity status set to Undiscounted (note the period is included in the code). |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Mar 01 2025 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Sep 01 2025 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 01 2026 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Mar 01 2028 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Mar 01 2029 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Sep 01 2029 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 01 2030 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Mar 01 2032 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Mar 01 2033 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Sep 01 2033 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 01 2034 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Mar 01 2036 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |